Traveling in China often brings up a lot of confusion and anxiety for foreigners. China, despite being the most populated country in the world, is still a bit of a mystery for foreign visitors. My first trip to China was my most exciting! I didn’t …
Answer: B Using Alipay for financial transactions, using Mandarin Chinese while shopping and paying the bill (when inviting others to dinner) are important aspects of traveling and living in China these days. However, sending four flowers to a friend in China would remind them of …
Have you ever met someone and been very impressed by how down to earth they are? In Chinese we have a phrase which is an equivalent to this idea in English and it is “接地气 (jiē dìqì)”. Native Chinese speakers often use it in daily …
Answer: B “接地气 (jiēdìqì)” can be used to describe the government officials and celebrities who are very affable, close and friendly (to the public). In the option B, Jin Hong is an ordinary person and “接地气 (jiēdìqì)” has nothing to do with “ground vapour company,” …
How’s the weather today? How’s the weather in Shanghai? Talking about the weather is a nice ice-breaker to start a conversation.
1. Bella: Míngtiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? Ellie: I heard that tomorrow would be very cold. Bella, you’d better wear your jacket. …
Answer: A This quiz tests your understanding of question words. Molly states: “我在中信广场。(Wǒ zài zhōngxìn guǎngchǎng.) I am in CITIC Plaza.” So, you know Molly is talking about a place. Because of that, you can tell Jessie is asking a question about position. In these …
Nǐ xiànzài zài ____ guàngjiē ne? Jessie: 你 现在 在 ____ 逛街 呢？ Wǒ zài zhōngxìn guǎngchǎng. Molly: 我 在 中信 广场。 I am in CITIC Plaza. A. 哪里 (nǎlǐ)
B. 什么 (shénme)
C. 怎么 …
Presents, cakes, candles, and maybe a bowl of noodles?
1. A: Lìli, nǐ shénme shíhou guò shēngrì? B: Liù yuè shíbā hào. What will probably happen on June 18th this year? Please choose the best answer. A. Lili will give birth …
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Happy Birthday!” …
Sometimes a reason to keep learning Mandarin is to take a good look at well-known people who have learned it, and study the way they achieved fluency. Let’s take a look at these famous people who have taken the time to learn how to read, …
Answer: C 请客 (Qǐngkè): to entertain guests.
敬酒 (Jìng jiǔ): to propose a toast.
发红包 (Fā hóngbāo): to give red envelopes (with cash inside).
These three activities above are good for building relationships with Chinese people. However, be careful! Never give clocks to Chinese people …
Although some of my Mandarin Chinese students sign up for Chinese classes to impress their in-laws, enrich their cultural knowledge or just to exercise their brains, the vast majority of my students become interested in Mandarin Chinese due to its business and career applications. There …
Dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān! (We wish each other a long life so as to share the beauty of this graceful light even though miles apart.) What a beautiful poem for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Let’s talk about the traditions of …
1. C 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Mid-Autumn Festival” …
There are people who often do something that exceeds other’s expectations. Some might, perhaps, memorize long passages in a book, or skillfully craft a figurine with dexterous hands. Sometimes though, not all talents are necessarily beneficial…like those who max out three credit cards in a …
1. C 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: She’s Really Something, Isn’t She?” …
1. Which of the following is in the correct Chinese word order?
Shùxué duì wǒ bù gǎn xìngqù. A. 数学 对 我 不 感 兴趣。
Wǒ duì shùxué bù gǎn xìngqù. B. 我 对 数学 不 感 兴趣。
Bù gǎn xìngqù shùxué duì wǒ. C. …
Answer: B. Answer analysis: The correct sentence should be:
Wǒ duì shùxué bù gǎn xìngqù. 我 对 数学 不 感 兴趣。 I’m not interested in math.
Pay attention to the word “对 (duì)”. 对 (duì) is used as a preposition here. It means “to” or …
You are in a Chinese restaurant in New York. The waiter is about to provide you western utensils, yet you’d like to use chopsticks. What should you say?
1. A: Lydia, nǐ huì yòng kuàizi! B: Shì a, wǒ xǐhuan yòng …
